Developing MOUs in DC

Best Practice to Develop MOUs with Related Agencies
Washington, DC April 2002

Project Description:

The D.C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has met separately with both the Department of Human Services, Adult Protection Services; and Department of Health, Health Regulatory Administration to create a new Memorandum of Understanding between our agencies.  This has not happened since 1988.  The reason for these meetings was not only to bring communication and definition of the roles we have, but also to increase timely responses to our complaints of abuse, neglect and exploitation.  The MOUs are still being edited by both agencies but we are hopeful that the completion of each MOU will be within the next few months.

Project Impact

Our expected impact is:

• Improving communications between ombudsmen and surveyors
• Understanding of and appreciation for our respective roles and responsibilities
• Acknowledging and responding to abuse, neglect, and exploitation case in a timely manner
• Sharing investigative tools and information without creating a conflict of interest
• Reporting of and acting upon unlicensed housing
• Respecting confidentiality of complainants and residents

Contact Person:  Jerry Kasunic      State: Washington, D.C.

Phone Number:  202-434-2140, Fax: 202-434-6595  E-mail: gkasunic@aarp.org